5.5.0.6: Inaccessibility to Matches, Candles, and Lighters

Matches, candles, and lighters should not be accessible to children.

RATIONALE

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that 150 deaths occur each year from fires started by children playing with lighters. Children under five-years-old account for most of these fatalities (1). A child playing with candles or near candles is one of the biggest contributors to candle fires (2). Matches have also been the source of some fire-related deaths. Children may hide in a closet or under a bed when faced with fire, leading to fatalities (2).

TYPE OF FACILITY

Center, Early Head Start, Head Start, Large Family Child Care Home, Small Family Child Care Home

REFERENCES

1. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Child-resistant lighters protect young children. Document #5021. Bethesda, MD: CPSC. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/
   5021.html.
2. Miller, D., R. Chowdhury, M. Greene. 2009. 2004-2006 residential fire loss estimates. Washington, DC: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). http://www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/fire06.pdf.